Local Voices, Jul. 24

July 24, 2013

"We do not control the who, what and where of medical emergencies," a reader writes. "However, we have the means of dealing with them successfully but need people to be trained in CPR/AED and first-aid, and be willing to get involved." (John Overmyer, John Overmyer)

Life-saving skills

You arrive at the beach to find a crowd of onlookers standing over your friend. He is nonbreathing; his face is turning blue. You have inquired if anyone knows CPR and will assist you. A bystander offers to help; you later learn this person was trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator but didn't want to get involved.

Having been trained in CPR/AED, you immediately have a neighbor call 911 and begin chest compressions. You know without circulation of oxygenated blood, within four to six minutes brain damage and death begins to occur. The paramedics provide medical care unsuccessfully.

In retrospect, when your friend became unresponsive, if the person with CPR/AED training designated someone to call 911 and inquire if there was an AED available and began rapid chest compressions, the time and treatment may have been adequate to give your friend a chance to live.

We do not control the who, what and where of medical emergencies. However, we have the means of dealing with them successfully but need people to be trained in CPR/AED and first-aid, and be willing to get involved.

Friday marks the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Since its signing, discrimination, both subtle and overt, remains. The quality and effectiveness of rehabilitation services for the disabled are also woefully inadequate. Both hinder talented individuals with disabilities from contributing to the economy and enjoying an enriching career.

A lack of awareness by the disabled, especially the blind, of services, resources and organizations available to help them may be a more pressing issue. Case in point: I was 13 when first diagnosed as being legally blind. Unfortunately it was late in my junior year in high school that I was first notified about the Michigan Commission for the Blind and large-print books. My grades quickly rose from a 2.1 to over 3.7 grade-point average during my senior year. I went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and then a law degree and a master's of business administration from Michigan State University.

It is time for a change. Low-vision specialists should advise their patients of rehabilitation options. Neglected patients may experience higher rates of unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, and depression. A short consultation with the patient may go a long way. Raising the issue with vision-related medical organizations and legislators should also be considered.

If we truly wish to celebrate policies for improving employment among the disabled, we should first start by having a systematic and efficient policy for directing them to rehabilitation opportunities.

— Sean Christopher Ziadeh, principal, Turning Leaf Solutions, Chicago

Retired doctors

At age 65 I retired from private practice and then for 13 years volunteered part-time in a free medical clinic. We took care of patients who had no other access to medical care. The nearby hospitals would do any lab tests or radiology procedures that I requested on these patients at no charge. The only cost to me was $300 every three years to renew my Illinois State Medical License and $56 a year for malpractice insurance that was the same policy that cost thousands of dollars in private practice. It only covered me for patients I cared for at the free clinic. There was no monetary compensation, but it was fun and almost an ideal way to care for many seriously ill patients.

Now the state of Illinois has raised the cost for me to renew my license to $900, and this will force me and I suspect many other older retired physicians to stop providing this needed care.

If there was any common sense, the state should actually reduce the cost of my license to encourage me and others to continue to provide free care for these poor patients.

— Dr. James W. Erlenborn, Glen Ellyn

Twinkies overkill

The column inches filled with "news" about Twinkies boggles my mind. It has been in vogue to demonize tobacco companies for decades now, so why do media outlets have a love affair with Hostess? Heart disease is now the leading preventable cause of death.

I don't understand the fascination with this most artificial of baked goods with an ingredient list a mile long.

— Aaron Dome, Chicago

Breathing easier

Solving the climate change dilemma will do more than keep the oceans from rising and reduce extreme weather events. It will also make us a healthier society.

Carbon pollution comes from cars and power plants and is the main cause of climate change. A reduction in carbon pollution will make breathing easier for millions of Americans with lung disease, heart disease and diabetes.